With previous experience regarding the ISO 9001, all Aspida personnel are well educated and accustomed to procedures and functions related to maritime security.

Aspida uses extensive training programmes, both internally and externally, in order to ensure that all privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) deployed are up to the same high standard.

Internal audits are performed regularly, so all procedures are reviewed and the quality of service provided is constantly improving.

Aspida used specialized consulting services so the initial gap analysis showed very little differences to the standard proposals.

Among the benefits of ISO/PAS 28007 is the reassurance for customers that Aspida remains highly competitive. ISO/PAS 28007 certification with LRQA demonstrates that Aspida provides appropriate PCASP services on board ships.

Aspida practices, as indicated by the ISO/PAS 28007 certification, provide the company, its customers, trading partners and other key stakeholders, with confidence that all external and internal issues relating to PCASP are addressed and, after stage 3 - on site audit, properly followed.

Compliance to ISO/PAS 28007 is a tiered approach to match the changing needs of the PMSC market. Aspida aims to support continual improvement and adapt the requirements of the standard to the way the company conducts business. This ensures added value for customers, reducing duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy.

Aspida has a deep understanding of implementing both ISO PAS 28007:2012 and ISO 28000:2007. The extensive knowledge of both standards can provide references of work carried out.

"In the last four years, commercial shipping has increasingly looked to the use of PCASP to protect vessels, crews, cargoes and reputation. This has dramatically reduced the hijacking of vessels and subsequently reduced the loss of life and traumatic hostage situations. Although the piracy threat remains fluid to the industry, the use of PCASP is still a pretentious issue for some," said Panos G. Moraitis, CEO of Aspida.

"The ISO/PAS 28007 award contains vital information for PMSC and the vessels in which they service by outlining the specific requirements for security management systems and the supply chain. The document focuses on subjects such as planning, training and awareness, communications and documentation. On an operational scale it covers crime scene and forensic management, casualty management, customer focus and of course health and safety," said Manos Roudas, General Manager of Aspida.

"In addition, the ISO/PAS 28007 is backed by major international corporations and intelligence and law enforcement agencies such as the IMO, INTERPOL, the European Commission, the Contact Group established by the UN Security Council Resolution 1851 and the UK appointed SCEG (Security in Complex Environments Group)," added Roudas.

The shipping industry has learned lessons from previous hostile areas where the use of armed security contractors has been common. Although PCASP are employed on contracts, certain skills such as Team Medic (FPOS), weapon handling (FCC), etc. are ensured by Aspida as a mandatory requirement for the team to operate.

The standards have been rising since the start of the boom in maritime security. With the new ISO/PAS 28007 in hand Aspida has the proof that it focuses on client needs, performs solid risk assessments, implements proper procedures, including rigid and thorough screening and training of PCASP, to post incident management.